Deputy Director of Engineering

Xcimer Energy leverages decades of research on Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) combined with groundbreaking new laser architecture. Our mission is to deploy fusion power plants to meet global decarbonization goals as fast as possible. Xcimer has assembled a team of leaders in tough tech, fusion science, and manufacturing with a track record of rapid execution. Supported by leading investors, Xcimer is uniquely positioned to deliver limitless, clean, fusion power to combat climate change. Join us in powering a better world with inertial fusion! 

As the Deputy Director of Engineering, you’ll partner with the SVP of Engineering to operationalize strategy, drive execution, and scale our engineering practices. You’ll lead engineering operations, guide cross-functional alignment, and ensure our teams deliver high-quality results efficiently and consistently. We are looking for our leaderstoapply their leadership, technical expertise, curiosity, problem solving skills, and dedication to quality to positively impact the future of energy!  

• Translate engineering strategy into clear, actionable plans. 
• Drive and improve core processes: capacity/workforce planning, PLM, budgeting, resource planning, reporting, and governance. 
• Act as a proxy for the SVP of Engineering in key forums, ensuring continuity and follow-through. 
• Lead and grow the Engineering Operations team, supporting process design, analytics, and execution. 
• Coordinate initiatives across Science, Architecture, Business Development, and the Executive team. 
• Develop and track KPIs for engineering performance, quality, and efficiency. 
• Manage executive communications, including board and all-hands materials. 
• Identify automation opportunities to scale operations. 
• Facilitate strategic off-sites, planning sessions, and post-mortems. 
• Lead change management efforts to embed new tools and processes effectively. 

• Education: Master’s degree in Engineering 
• Experience: 15+ years of experience in technology or engineering leadership roles. 
• Proven success in operations, chief-of-staff, deputy, or leadership(s) role in fast-paced, matrixed environments. 
• Background in large-scale, complex, integrated engineering programs. Ideally in industries such as fusion energy, aerospace, defense, or other first-of-a-kind hardware systems. 
• Proven ability to navigate ambiguity and solve novel technical challenges with cross-functional teams in high-stakes, R&D-driven environments. 
• Strong financial skills and experience managing multi-million-dollar budgets. 
• Excellent communicator, comfortable presenting to executives and boards. 
• Influential leader who builds trust across diverse teams. 
• Experience with process improvement (Lean, Six Sigma, Agile). 
• High emotional intelligence, with a proactive and solutions-driven mindset. 
• Must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee of granted asylum. 

• Master of Business Administration (MBA). 
• Experience working in fast-paced startup environments. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

Xcimer Energy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and is committed to attracting, retaining, and developing a highly qualified, diverse, and dedicated work force. Xcimer Energy hires and promotes people on the basis of their qualifications, performance, and abilities. We support the establishment and maintenance of a workplace that fosters trust, equality, and teamwork, in which all employees recognize and appreciate the diversity of individual team members. We provide all qualified applicants for employment and employees with equal opportunities for hire, promotion, and other terms and conditions of employment, regardless of their race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin/ethnicity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local law. Xcimer Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For more information on “EEO Is the Law,” please see here and here.

Benefits

Benefits Employee Benefits include: Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, paid parental leave (must be employed at time of birth or adoption), short and long-term disability, 401(k) with a company match of up to 6%. Paid Time Off: 15 days per year based on weekly scheduled hours, 10 paid sick leave, and 13 company-paid holidays for all regular employees (including part-time), fixed-term, and interns. Equity will be granted to eligible employees. Equity is designed to allow employees to share in company results and success.

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